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The post I wrote on what to wear to an interview is one of the most visited pages on YLF. But it is almost four years old and definitely in need of an update. Some of my previous post is carried over directly from the earlier one because the points are still relevant today, but it also includes some points that were made in the comments and some things that I’ve learned in the interim.

The points in this post are general and will apply to the vast majority of interview situations, but it is true that dress codes can vary wildly across industries and even companies. What works for a programmer being interviewed by a Silicon Valley startup might not work for a trader being interviewed on Wall Street, or a merchandise position at a major fashion retailer. So over the next few months I will be writing a series of posts that explores appropriate interview attire for specific industries and professions.

Like I did in the previous post, I’m going to focus on one thing: How does your outfit help or hurt your chances of being successful? I think this comes down to two things:

The impression you make on your interviewer. In the first few seconds of meeting them their brain will be trying to make the hiring decision on the only information they have: the way you look. Can they imagine you doing the job? Will you fit into the culture? This may not even be a conscious evaluation.

The impact that your outfit has on YOU. You must also be able to imagine yourself doing the job you are interviewing for. Above all, you need to feel confident and physically comfortable. It’s your time to shine and the outfit must complement your skills, not make you feel self-conscious about them.

As far as possible you want the interview to focus on expertise and your ability to do the job. Your outfit should make the right impression, give you confidence, and get out of the way.

Here is a checklist of things to consider when you are putting your interview outfit together.

Err on the dressy side: Although the work setting and culture of the organization is casual, it’s still better to dress too formally than too casually for an interview. Interviewers expect you to dress more formally for the occasion, so don’t worry about looking a little more polished and dressed up than other people at the company.

Err on the classic side: Stick to the classics when you’re interviewing for a position in a conservative environment. Of course, things get a little tricky when you’re interviewing for creative professions in art, advertising and fashion, and wearing a trendier and more fashionable outfit is a good idea. Still, wear an outfit that is more classic than what you’d usually wear, just to be on the safe side. There will be plenty of time to express your style more creatively after you’ve landed the job.

Err on the modest side: Stay away from low necklines, high skirts, exposed midriffs, and body-hugging items. Tailored and fluid fits that cover the body are best. Skirts and dresses should end around the knee, and make sure you do sit-down tests. Ensure that your shirt or blouse doesn’t gape and that your skirt doesn’t creep up too much when seated.

Leave off the scent: You can’t run the risk of kickstarting someone’s allergies with your choice of perfume or body lotion. Also, some people are put off entirely by even the whiff of a scent.

Limit the accessories: Stay away from anything flashy, bold and noisy. The clanging of bracelets and visual dominance of statement accessories can be distracting to the interviewer. Plus if you’re prone to fidgeting with your own accessories, leave them off. A watch, wedding ring, specs and small earrings is fine. It is the larger statement pieces that are harder to get right, and it’s just not worth worrying about them.

Wear light make-up: Wear just enough make-up to look extra polished, presentable, energetic and healthy. Stay away from overly dramatic lipstick and eye make-up, and check your teeth for lipstick before you go into the interview.

Wear clothes that cover perspiration marks: Nerves run high during an interview and puddles of perspiration are a real possibility. Wear clothes that are forgiving of perspiration marks, and wear or at least bring along a jacket that camouflages these marks as a contingency plan.

Wear clothes that work with your body temperature: If you run warm, wear something suitably lightweight so that you don’t overheat. And by the same token if you’re sensitive to arctic air conditioning like me, wear sufficiently warm layers.

When in doubt, wear suit separates: These days formal suits are generally not essential interview attire. With some exceptions, business casual separates are perfectly acceptable. Stay away from denim unless the recruiter has specified that jeans are fine AND you believe that all interviewers will likely think the same. Note: originally I used the term “business casual” separates here, meaning “something less than a formal suit”, but that is confusing given the wide variety of interpretations for “business casual”.

Wear a skirt for an extra formal look: Pencil skirts are dressier than trousers, so wear a skirt instead of trousers if you want to make a more formal impression. That said, if you feel a lot more comfortable in trousers, go with that option despite the slightly less traditionally formal look.

Wear flattering colours: Keep your bottoms and jacket neutrally toned, but by all means wear a flattering colour under the jacket. Or if you’re not wearing a jacket, wear a blouse, shirt or sweater in a shade that flatters your complexion. Remember that black is not your only neutral option. There is also grey, brown, taupe, caramel, tan, navy, ink blue and shades of white.

Bring a jacket: A jacket gives your outfit structure, polish and authority, and makes you look more professional. If a jacket makes you feel uncomfortable, take one along and wear it initially with the first interviewer and then take it off and carry it with you for the rest of the interview process.

Wear good shoes: Keep them close-toed, dressy, polished and fairly neutral. Pumps, dressy flats, oxfords, tall boots and booties are great options. They don’t need to be 8-hour walking shoes, but comfort goes a long way. I know I’m more confident when my feet are happy, which is more important than wearing a prettier, but less comfortable shoe.

Bring a spare pair of hose: In many work environments hose is no longer essential when wearing a skirt or dress. But if it is, or if you would just prefer to wear hose, carry a spare pair just in case you ladder them on your way to the interview.

Wear a hairstyle that stays in place: You don’t want to fuss with a fringe or long locks that get in the way or cover your face during the interview. So wear a style that is sufficiently secured.

Bring a handbag, briefcase or portfolio case: This will depend on you and what you need to bring to the interview. Bring a structured bag that is large enough to carry notes and brochures. No need to stick to neutrals, but it’s not the setting for a neon clutch either. Keep the bag dressy and professional.

Groom your hands: Making your hands look pretty is worth it because they’re quite visible during the interview, especially if you “talk with your hands”. Short nails and neutral nail polish (or no nail polish) is best.

Road test the interview outfit: Be sure to try on the outfit well before the interview. Walk around, sit down, and take your jacket on and off. Make sure you like the outfit without the jacket. Most of all, make sure that you’re happy, confident and comfortable.

If you’re still not sure what to wear, visit the organization and watch employees come in and out of the office to get a better sense of what they wear to work. Also, find out whether the hiring company has guidelines on what to wear to an interview.

Please share your own thoughts about dressing for a job interview. What do you like to wear? What are dress codes like in your industry or company? If you’re a recruiting professional or hiring manager, please feel free to share your thoughts on the checklist, any other thoughts on what makes an appropriate interview outfit, or tips you have for YLF readers.

Great tips, Angie. I would add that this time of year, for those of us in the midst of a cold and snowy winter, wearing boots and then carrying interview shoes to change into, is a real possibility and should factor into outfit planning.

Angie, these are great tips not only for formal job interviews but for anytime we are in a professional networking/meeting/ impression making mode. Great tips to keep us relaxed and in tiptop sartorial shape to inspire the confidence we need to achieve success!! Many thanks as always for the great advice!!

Your tip about the “sit-down” test is a good one. Many times you’ll find yourself sitting in a chair in front of an executive’s desk and you don’t want to be tugging at your skirt (she says with authority, having made this mistake before!).

These are all great tips. I am not HR, but I am a hiring manager. I am an accountant in the Midwest.

I will reiterate NO scent! I am allergic to most perfumes. I will cut the interview short if I can’t breathe. And frankly, probably won’t hire you because I don’t want to deal with not being able to be around you.

Yes, my company is business casual. Kahkis and polos kind of casual. We still expect ALL professional level interviewees to be in a suit. Even college kids. Even part timers. I have heard a lot that it is acceptable to wear business casual if the company is casual. This has NOT been my experience in the Midwest or the South, particularly Louisiana, both as an interviewer and as a job seeker.

While formal attire is appropriate, also know the setting. If you come into a heavy manufacturer in a fussy suit and towering heels, I can’t take you for a tour of the shop floor if I like you. And, while we expect a suit, make sure you are wearing shoes you can easily walk in, even on slippery floors.

Overall, look professional, neat, and clean so I notice you look serious about the position and then I can forget it as we talk about you.

I suppose I should also say stay away from red suits or any other no traditional colors. Again, I should notice you and not your attire. But, I am an accountant, in heavy manufacturing, in the Midwest. . .

That is great advice and it is a timely reminder.
I would also love to see a blog with advice for college students who will go to graduate school interviews, both for guys and girls. I hope you will consider that topic for the future because the last thing a young person needs (and anyone else, too) is to have their personal appearance get in the way.

Good information, Angie. It is important that an interview outfit isn’t distracting to either party, so it remains the background foundation that lets your fit for the position shine.

I have been in academic settings where there is an apparent inattention to fashion, though flashy, fussy, highly feminized clothes would likely have been an non-starter for interviewees. I have also been in medical settings where confident professionalism was viewed as key, requiring some classic formality and nothing too unique, even after one was hired.

Think about the job you are interviewing for. In my profession, wearing nail color is not allowed, neither is most jewelery, someone with long hair that wore it down to the interview would be questioned because long hair needs to be worn up at work. In addition, I was always told to come ready to lift or carry something during the interview if the posting requires you be able to as part of job duties. Interviewers want to see you looking clean and professional, but also in my line of work interview shoes need to be sturdy. I might wear a pencil skirt and sturdy pumps to an interview, but I might think twice about it because the interview space will likely be 62 degrees and I would not be allowed to wear my sensible 2″ pumps to work because they are a tripping hazard.

Laura, at least you have first hand experience with what NOT to wear next time.

Ramya, exactly right. That’s why I suggested sticking to trousers if that makes you feel more at ease than wearing a skirt.

Great points, Thistle. Thanks for sharing your meaningful thoughts. I wasn’t thinking “polos and khakis” as business casual actually – if that is how it came across. I mean dressy business casual separates – but no need to wear a matching suit.

Joy, thanks for bringing up tattoos and body piercings. That’s a discussion in itself. Great tips. Thanks for the link, Carter.

Joyce, I am unfamiliar with graduate school interviews. How would their outfit be different to the guidelines listed here?

Great tips! Hard to do with the scent bit though. I mean, ok if somebody doesn’t wear perfume, but it’s not like they’re going to be looking for an unscented shampoo/conditioner/shower gel/skincare etc.

Alexandra, it’s about leaving off strong scents, like perfumes, body and hand lotions. And since I wear perfume each day – I would leave it off for the interview. I don’t think you’re expected to use scent-free soaps and shampoos. That’s extreme. And deodorant is a good idea.

Angie – What I was trying to say that I didn’t communicate well is that we are a very casual company. You can wear colored jeans as business casual during the week, with blue jeans reserved for Fridays. But we still expect interviewees to be in suits. Yeah, odd, but the whole area is like that.

Angie, these tips are perfect. I’ve been a hiring manager for a while and even in California it’s very important to wear a blazer (while a suit is unnecessary). If you don’t, to me you just don’t look the part. Also I wonder why you didn’t get the memo when everybody else puts on a jacket.

Many work places are scent-free now. I think leaving off the scent is an important tip.

And shoes! Once for an interview I wore 3.25″ spike heels, not realizing that I’d be taken on a big tour of the facility, going up and down stairs! Ever after that I’ve worn heels between 2″ and 2.5″, and comfortable ones.

I still find the usual interview tips not that helpful for my profession – food and beverage. Any suiting pieces just are too dressy for looking for work in a pub or a golf course, for instance.
Interestingly, I am thinking of looking into work at a gym here in FL for the remainder of my stay and am again up against an unusual circumstance. Again, the usual suiting separates just do not fit the environment. Do I wear nice workout gear to inquire at the desk? I had Facebook friend suggest just that – and she recently got part time work at the gym she belongs to. (She’s in her 50′s and with a corporate background, so I trust her instincts and experience).

Angie, thanks for the great tips and an update – I like to share links to this site whenever the question of interview dressings comes up in conversation with other women so it’s good to know there is a new post on this topic.

To Joyce’s question – I think your tips would be appropriate for graduate school interview as well. At least in the sciences, I would probably advise against wearing a full suit to a graduate school interview – a clean, presentable pair of dress pants/slacks and a nice shirt/blouse/neat sweater or cardigan would be perfectly appropriate. Wear comfortable shoes – you may have to walk around a lot if you are visiting multiple labs/departments.

In a medical school setting, you can definitely tell the difference between medical school interviewees (a crowd of people in conservative navy suits and black suits) and graduate school applicants (dressed in a nice but relatively casual style).

I would add to try to at least look like you bought the clothing in this decade, or this century. We interviewed a very nice woman at my previous job but her exceptionally dated hairstyle, dowdy and ill-fitting clothing and general “look” really shot her down. This is a woman who is a professional and has the income to support looking professional (and I don’t mean all her suits need to come from Theory, but they need to look as if she’s at least pressed them recently). The candidate we hired, who was equally experienced, had clearly carefully and thoughtfully pulled together a look that said “I’m professional in every way.” Every detail was spot on, sending the message “I sweat all the details.” And she has worked out to be a great hire. The other candidate’s choices said to me, “I just don’t care that much.” In a competitive job market, those kinds of details can make or break a hiring decision. Give yourself every chance to sparkle.

Angie, these are all great tips. I was a hiring manager before I retired, and you would not believe the number of people who showed up with dirty hair. Their hair may have looked OK, but it… no other way to say it… smelled bad. I would suggest washing your hair the day before or the day of the interview.

angie — i think your last line is very important and often overlooked. ASK. in my industry, most postions past the entry level jobs, are still found thru a recruiter/head hunter. they can, and should give you the expectations, but if they don’t, you should ask them.

I am going to add some thoughts about how to dress for a hospitality interview per Mo’s comments above.

A conservative suit or outfit would be out of place, it’s true. But wearing casual clothing with graphics or bling, and wearing tight clothes, also sends the wrong message. For women jeans and a blazer would be fine, also for men. I like the addition of a crisp shirt underneath but another top would work fine too, such as a turtleneck in the winter or non-clinging tee shirt. So whereas the dress code is more casual, I believe overall neatness, cleanliness and good grooming are extremely important. If you are interviewing for a front of the house job, another tip (obvious) is to SMILE. A LOT.

Angie, as an HR professional, I commend you. This is an excellent, comprehensive list and your advice is spot on.

The only thing that I would add is a tip for 2nd or subsequent interviews. Do take note of how the people who interview you are dressed and adapt accordingly, to some degree. For instance, here we are business casual, and often leaning more toward casual. While we would expect a professional level person to wear a suit (or dressy separates) for a first interview, we would prefer to see them dressed less formally for the next interview once they saw us in jeans. Second or third interviews are often more about fit, as we’ve already determined that the candidate has the skill set we need. If they show up again in a conservative suit, we may question their ability to adapt and/or to fit into our more relaxed culture.

Conversely, if you interview in a more formal environment, you probably need to wear a suit for every round of interviews.

Mo, agreed. And Cocolion’s suggestions are excellent. Water down the guidelines by making the outfit more casual. I’m not sure what is appropriate to wear to an interview at a gym. I guess it depends on the job at the gym. Administrative, instructor, or personal trainer.

Catnip, such an obvious thing, right? Yes. Clean hair is an excellent idea.

Makrame, thanks for chiming in about graduate school interviews. Great extra info.

Nebraskim, thanks for sharing your valuable insights. The interviewee’s outfit made a big difference in that case so there you go. Wear current clothing and look up to date.

Susie, we were typing at the same time. Thank you so much. Your professional opinion means a lot. And thanks for addressing what to wear for second and third interviews. Those are fantastic tips and make lots of sense.

Can we address tattoos? Should you cover them up – as much as you can that is – when interviewing? I guess it depends on the profession.

Thanks for this post, Angie. I’m (hopefully) going on the job market this coming fall so I’ll be sure to consult this when the time comes.

So obviously I am not an expert by any means on this, but my impressions of interviews in my field (academia, science in particular) is that it seems like people wear a suit for the first interview/presentation day, and then go a little more casual (like business separates) for subsequent days or interviews. This is still way more dressy than the norm in most departments (barring departments where there are more clinical/medical folks).

I’d also add that you need to keep the specific requirements for your interview in mind. So, for my field, this would include a full day interview including a formal presentation and lots of walking between different meetings, and likely followed by dinner with some faculty. This is like 10-12 hours total probably, so comfort is KEY. You have to stand for the presentation so you need comfy shoes and an outfit you can move in, plus somewhere to clip a microphone. (This is why when I bought my suit a few months ago I was adamant on trousers, not skirt. More comfy and allows me to wear far more comfortable shoes.) Handbag needs to fit a laptop.

Angie – honestly, I am not sure what HR tells them about attire. I don’t schedule the interview, I just meet with candidates that have passed the HR phone screen.

Tattoos – I am in a very conservative part of the country, in a conservative field. I interview mainly engineers for corporate fit, and Accountants for my department. I would not expect to see a tattoo at all in the interview. If we did, I can guarantee there would be “gossip” about it instead of the candidate after the interview. Not really what you want a perspective employer discussing.

These are all great tips. I once interviewed while 9 months pregnant and basically wore what you recommended in these guidelines. A white buttondown-like shirt (except with a wrap front, from Old Navy), a grey maternity straight skirt from the GAP, Cole Haan low wedge shoes, a dressy black coat and delicate fine jewelry. I left off the jacket because I just didn’t think it lookef great when I did a once over in the mirror. I would add that wearing a watch makes a good impression, pregnant or not. I think I did great in the interview and felt confident. If anyone pregnant is reading this, my advice is don’t hesitate, just go for it!

Right on the mark. Particularly scent free. My work place environment is a scent free environment for staff and patients comfort alike. And yes it does mean scent free shampoo, conditioner, aftershave (altho I’m pretty sure we fabbers have this one covered), laundry soap, hand lotion etc.

Agreed, interview clothes should compliment what you’re going to bring to the new job, not detract.

I was laid off in 2011 after many years at the same job. As I readied my resume and brushed up interview techniques I also fretted about what to wear. I bought a suit, I bought a blouse, actually I bought several blouses. It wasn’t long before I got hired again. The lesson I took away from it was that it’s a good idea to ALWAYS have an interview outfit. I was fortunate because I got a generous severance settlement from my employer, I had money to acquire an interview outfit. That’s not likely to happen to me again, so I need to be sure that my wardrobe always has something acceptable for an interview. Nobody wants to have to buy a nice outfit when they’re worried about paying the rent!

Thank you for this Angie. I am going to pass it on to my daughters.
I do the hiring for our small office and it is extremely casual. On days that I know I will interview I dress nicer because that is what I expect the potential candidate to do.
I had a girl came in for a part time job this summer. Her resume was great but she was dressed in shorts and a tank. We did not hire her. If she treated an interview like that how would she have been as an employee.

While the attire is very casual where I work, interview attire is anything but, so I wore a suit when I interviewed. Out of 150 applicants, I got the job. I’d like to think my appearance made a difference.

My DD bought interview clothing after graduating from college. She followed the guidelines set forth in the information packet provided to her by her department. They were the same things I’ve told her over the years about dressing professionally, and the very same things you provided in this post. She already has a job offer, and she’s not even finished with grad school.

I recently had a successful interview with a midwestern tech startup. I was explicitly told by the person who did my phone interview that I shouldn’t wear a suit (as it turns out, that wouldn’t have been an automatic disqualification, but it would have STRONGLY counted against me). Especially at a small company, they’ll be trying to figure out if you will fit in with company culture, so doing as much sleuthing as you can to figure out what to wear is worthwhile.

Diana and others covered all I was going to say about academia, especially the need for somewhere to clip the microphone for your talk. And Makrame’s grad school interview info is spot on, too. Grad school interviews in biology are long (2+ days) and casual, with a lot of walking, so at most slacks and a dressy blouse. The few people who show up in suits always look overdressed.

Eliza’s point, “I have been in academic settings where there is an apparent inattention to fashion, though flashy, fussy, highly feminized clothes would likely have been an non-starter for interviewees,” is also important for me. I’m a flashy dresser by the standards of my field and I try to be as low-key as possible while still having fun with my interview clothes. I don’t want to trigger any sort of assumptions about fussy clothes and femininity in such a practical, unfussy field.

Good tips. I’m all for modest, formal, no scent and light makeup. I particularly like the tip on groomed hands, skipping flashy nail art.

I also second the comments on food & food service industry interviews. Suits, unless your going to be the sommelier or maitre d’, make it seem a little like you don’t know what kind of job you’re interviewing for. Clean, neat, and zero perfume and makeup if you’re going to be in the kitchen – that’s the biggest deal. Or to put it another way, I say wear freshly laundered and khakis and a white shirt…

Updating this blog post is very relevant I think. The workpace (most of them it seems) has grown so casual and confusing in last couple of years. In apparel retailing (HR/store management) I have seen literally everything from applicants. The clothes do not “make” the applicant but it certainly gives a strong impression especially in group interview settings.
My company recently changed employee dress guidelines so if someone errs a little casual but they are put together, fashion forward and still professional, I am impressed. It’s actually harder to do well dressed business casual than just a suit and white shirt and shows creativity.
I like the idea of different posts for various fields. In creative field we want to see color, a little mixing of pattern/separates, a slightly fun spin on classic. I love accessories on candidates when they are well thought out. Someone without a personal fashion “look” actually makes me question their merchandising or selling ability.
On a personal note – I had an interview where I was told the business had a business casual dress code. So I wore a denim blazer and black/tweed trousers (all from that company). Recruiter told me that the interviews thought I was overdressed – they wanted jeans on candidates. Recruiters could be a bit more specific but now I know to ASK specifics. Business casual doe snot mean JEANS in my mind.
This is great series Angie!

These tips are so helpful, Angie! I also think it’s important to have more than one interview outfit–or more of an interview capsule–because the hiring process can often include two or more in-person interviews. It may be the same suit separates with different blouses, but it’s best to be prepared for seeing the same people twice at least. The two-or-more interviews scenario is another reason to stay with neutral classic suit pieces; they don’t stand out as much, if you have to wear them more than once.

Agreed- business casual has different meanings. We SAY we are business casual but for a lot of jobs here at the corporate office (outside sales people and in-clinic associates have different dress codes) jeans are fine. To me, that is not business casual.

A note for Diana. I have been on panels hiring for academic positions. I think our assessment is spot on. A suit is usual,for both men and women though you may never need it again in academia! Anything less than a suit tends to look a bit too “postgrad” even if you are “postdoc”. I also would not wear really high heels or anything too impractical for campus life.

That said, I feel that most panels have a good idea of who they want before the interview, so that idea can keep the stress off!

Great topic and responses – it’s a minefield out there! If one detail is inadvertently overlooked, there goes the chance for a second interview or the job offer. The advice to ask for specifics on dress expectations is so important.

I have worked in business for many years and have been on both sides of the interview desk. This is spot on. I gave very similar advice to my daughter when she was seeking her first post college job last year.

What a great topic with lots of great input! My kids have asked my advice on what to interviews and I have been perplexed due to our increasingly casual dress world. This will be so helpful to so many. My biggest take away is to ask. I would have never expected that you would dress down as your interviews progress as Susie mentions. Thanks Angie and All!

This post is full of helpful information and tips, Angie! I sure wish I’d had it this time last year. I still remember being unsure about wearing a skirt without hose. A friend assured me that nowadays it’s okay. And good ‘ol common sense helped me decide that a closed-toe flat was a better choice than a sandal.

These are outstanding tips and I can see why these pages are read by many; I’ve consulted your What to Wear pages on several occasions and shared them with others, because they are so concise and get right to the point.

Your suggestion to observe other employees in the organization is an excellent one.

I want to add one more comment. The interview attire comments I left for hospitality jobs was for lower level, non-managerial/executive jobs. Wait staff, bar tending, shift manager, cooks, prep, ware washing, pantry and the like. Not for management-level jobs at big institutions or executive chef positions. I think upper level jobs would fall under the same guidelines in your post Angie.

Once, on the Tyra Banks show, TB said that it was more modern to wear a black long sleeved knee length shirtdress. I like the idea, but I don’t know if its dressy enough for some places.

I had a mock interview once that was scheduled at the very last minute, so I went out and bought a cheap suit without really checking it out or sitting in it. When I was invited to sit in the interviewer’s office while he went to check on something, the slit in the skirt (which I didn’t even know existed) went all the way up my thigh! I quickly twisted the skirt around and sat down before he came in.

I really like how you emphasize that it is important both how the clothes affect other people AND how important it is how they affect the wearer because a lot of advice forgets this. I read all the comments as well. Very helpful, knowing I may be on the market again in a couple years. I am nervous just thinking about it

Great advice. And the commentary from real life experiences is very informative too. When medical students interview for residency they are in suits- usually skirt suits on the women. It is kind of funny because everyone else is so much less dressed up. The ‘candidates’ stand out like sore thumbs; yet conversely if they did not follow most of these rules they would appear to be not “serious” candidates.
I think this is also a good time for me ( and perhaps others) to see what my interview wardrobe looks like. I think it may be lacking since it may be more than four years since I last interviewed. Although we have life plans life often plans for us and you never know when you might need that formal business suit again.

It always surprises me when I see people who just don’t think about these things. A couple of years ago I went to an International Women’s Day event which featured a personal stylist giving a presentation with Q&A about interview attire, and some of the things people wanted to be given “permission” to wear were rather interesting, and I suppose a bit sad, in a way.

Firecracker has a fantastic point about multiple outfits. Personally I look out for brands which have multiple separates options in their suiting lines. It is amazing how far you can stretch a single suit if you get both the trousers and skirt. Add a dress to the mix and with a couple blouses and couple pair of shoes you could interview for weeks.

Aquamarine makes a good point too, although you don’t always have the option to change your shoes if you commute by transit or have to do lunch as part of your interview. I like ankle boots or booties as a good option as you can find styles that look formal while having sturdier heels or better soles to handle winter conditions. They also cover more of the foot so you don’t get snow or sleet in there.

Such a timely post!
One more suggestion, which may be obvious: do not wear new shoes to a job interview, even if you think they are comfortable. About seven or eight years ago, I got a pair of pointy tasseled J Crew loafers with a kitten heel for a job interview. I walked in them in the store, and they felt great. I wore them at home several times to break them in, and they felt great. But I wore them outside for the first time during my job interview, and after two or three hours on my feet (it was a day-long interview) they were so uncomfortable that I could barely walk. So even if you think the shoe fits… make sure you’ve worn them outside several times before the big day!
PS. You might not believe this, but the shoes were so painful that I ended up taking them out and walking barefoot from the interview place to the restaurant where I was having dinner with the interviewers, as I chatted with the head of the job search. Still… I got the job!